Assistant Professor of Dance Kaustavi Sarkar recently organized a dance festival in honor of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (1926-2004), the man who revived and popularized the ancient Indian classical dance, Odissi. The festival, “Soul Vision,” was held in Calcutta, India, on January 2.

Sarkar also participated in the festival, performing a famous Odissi composition, “Ahe Neela Shailo.” Her performance and those of the other dancers received glowing reviews in the Indian press.

Sarkar has brought Odissi classes to the dance department curriculum and hopes to build a cultural exchange between her old home and her new. In May, she will host Odissi International, a conference featuring Odissi artists from all over the world, on the campus of UNC Charlotte.